Skip to content

5.14 Advanced

Advanced DSL features that are implemented in code and useful in larger projects.

5.14.1 Alias Definitions

Aliases reduce repetition in large datasets and make rows easier to read.

You can define aliases and reuse them later:

@hero = @{assets/hero.png}
@icons = [icon_hp icon_atk icon_def]

Then reference by index:

@hero
@icons[2]
@icons[1..3]
@icons[*]
@icons[1 4 7]

5.14.2 Source Suffixes

Suffixes are useful when source resolution and fit behavior must be expressed in one token.

Source expressions support long Fit and compact ~ ops:

@{assets/token.svg}.Fit{mode=i anchor=5}
@{assets/token.svg}~i5^15|

The compact form can mix Fit and Transform: i5 is Fit/Anchor, while ^15| is Transform.

5.14.3 Page Cursor Control (at)

Use cursor control when output must start at a specific page position.

Page{} supports page cursor movement with at / a / @:

{A4 @+3}
Page{A4 at=-1}
Page{A4^@5}

This controls where the next generated content starts in the global page sequence.

5.14.4 Page Break Blocks

These forms are useful for explicit pagination control between logical sections.

Standalone page blocks are valid and useful:

{}      # break to next page
{3}     # advance by 3 pages
{3*A4}  # multiplier + size

5.14.5 Leading Cell Composition

Combining directives in column A allows row-level orchestration without extra columns.

Column A data rows can combine multiple directives in one cell:

{A4 b=[-5]} .L{p=3x3 g=2} .M{mk_default d=2} [10 3- 5]

Supported order is flexible, but the parser expects:

  1. Optional Page{} block.
  2. Optional .M{} marks block.
  3. Optional .L{} layout block.
  4. Optional copy/hole tail ([10 3- 5] or trailing number).

5.14.6 Inline Icon Tokens in Text

These tokens allow icon insertion directly in flowing text while preserving typographic behavior.

Text rendering supports inline icon tokens:

:heart_icon:
:@{icon://noto/heart-suit}:
:@{icon://noto/star}~i5^10:
:blue_planet.T{t=1}:
:icon1~1 icon2~3:

Token forms implemented:

  • :id: uses an existing SVG id.
  • :id.T{t=...}: replaces text inside the placed icon; icons with text changes are placed as real copies.
  • :@{...}: uses a Source token with optional fit suffix.
  • :S{...}: and :Source{...}: are equivalent source forms.
  • :id1~... id2~...: places multiple existing SVG ids inside one shared inline hole. Each icon applies its own Fit-Anchor operations relative to that hole, and later icons are rendered above earlier icons.